Application Guide

How to Apply for OCDI Program and Grants Associate

at Oceans 5

🏢 About Oceans 5

Oceans 5 is a unique funders' collaborative that pools resources from philanthropists to combat overfishing, establish marine protected areas, and advance ocean climate solutions. With over $200 million in grants and a network of 150+ organizations globally, working here means directly contributing to high-impact ocean conservation. The remote, flexible culture and focus on collaborative grantmaking make it an attractive place for mission-driven professionals.

About This Role

As the OCDI Program and Grants Associate, you'll be the operational backbone of the Ocean Climate and Diversity Initiative, managing grant lifecycles, coordinating with the ORCA funder community, and organizing advisory committee meetings. This role is impactful because it ensures smooth operations for a collaborative that funds critical ocean-climate work, directly supporting grantees and funders alike.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day by checking the grants database for upcoming deadlines and updating grantee records. Mid-morning, you'll coordinate with ORCA funder partners via email or Slack to schedule a check-in, then spend the afternoon preparing materials for an upcoming Advisory Committee meeting, ensuring all documents are accurate and aligned with the agenda. The day ends with a quick review of new grant applications and updating the team on progress.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Oceans 5

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Oceans 5 Is Looking For

  • Experienced in nonprofit administration with at least 2 years in grants management, executive assistance, or operations, ideally in a funder collaborative or foundation.
  • Proficient in database management (e.g., Fluxx, Monday.com) and meticulous about tracking grant details, deadlines, and compliance.
  • Skilled in coordinating international meetings and events, with experience managing advisory committees or boards.
  • A self-starter who thrives in a remote environment, excels at cross-team communication, and can handle multiple priorities with attention to detail.

📝 Tips for Applying to Oceans 5

1

Highlight your experience with grant databases like Fluxx or Monday.com in your resume and cover letter, using specific examples of how you managed grant lifecycles.

2

Emphasize any work with funder collaboratives or coalitions, as Oceans 5 values collaborative dynamics; mention ORCA or similar networks if applicable.

3

Showcase your international event coordination by detailing a complex meeting you planned, including logistics across time zones and materials preparation.

4

Tailor your cover letter to ocean conservation or climate topics; even a brief mention of passion for marine issues can set you apart.

5

Submit a clean, error-free application with clear organization (e.g., bullet points for achievements) to demonstrate your attention to detail.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience managing grantmaking processes and databases, with concrete metrics (e.g., number of grants, portfolio size).', 'Your ability to coordinate committees or boards, especially in international contexts, and how you handle logistics and materials.', "Your alignment with Oceans 5's mission and the OCDI's focus on ocean-climate solutions; express genuine interest in the impact.", 'Your remote work skills: communication, self-discipline, and use of tools like Slack, Zoom, or project management software.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Oceans 5's website and recent grant announcements to understand their funding priorities and impact areas.
  • → Learn about the ORCA funder collaborative (Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance) and its goals, as the role involves coordinating across this network.
  • → Read about the Ocean Climate and Diversity Initiative (OCDI) to understand its specific objectives and how it fits into Oceans 5's strategy.
  • → Review the bios of the OCDI Advisory Committee members to get a sense of the stakeholders you'd be supporting.
Visit Oceans 5's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How you would manage the OCDI grant lifecycle from intake to closeout, including tracking deadlines and compliance.
2 Describe your experience with Fluxx or Monday.com; what specific features did you use to streamline processes?
3 How would you coordinate an advisory committee meeting with members across multiple time zones? Walk through your planning process.
4 Tell us about a time you had to manage a complex grant portfolio with many stakeholders. How did you stay organized?
5 What do you know about Oceans 5 and the ORCA funder collaborative? Why are you interested in this role?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Sending a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Oceans 5, OCDI, or ocean conservation; it shows lack of research.
  • Overlooking the remote work aspect—failing to demonstrate self-motivation, time management, or experience with remote collaboration tools.
  • Underestimating the importance of database skills; not mentioning specific platforms or providing examples of data management can be a dealbreaker.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Oceans 5!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →